ANZ Awards $440K to Local Charities via Community Foundation

ANZ today announced it has granted $440,000 to 20 charitable organisations through its Community Foundation. The organisations are each delivering projects that advance financial wellbeing, housing, environmental sustainability and other initiatives that support communities to thrive.

Funded by ANZ employees, the Community Foundation sees every dollar staff contribute through the workplace giving program matched by the Bank with an additional two dollars. Since 1988, around 951 grants valued at more than $7.2 million have been distributed to groups across Australia.

Chair of the Foundation, Christine Linden said: "The power of giving back to improve lives and empower communities is at the heart of ANZ's Community Foundation. I continue to be inspired by the ingenuity and dedication of our community partners and their efforts to make a meaningful difference using the generous donations contributed through our workplace giving program."

"The ANZ Community Foundation is committed to making a meaningful impact by funding projects in the areas of housing, financial wellbeing and environmental sustainability. This year we have been able to increase both the number of grants and the amount of funds distributed and I look forward to seeing the ongoing impact of these projects and initiatives as they come to life," Ms Linden said.

In 2023, 20 grants were given, with the average recipient receiving $22,000. Four each were distributed in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland; three each in Western Australia and South Australia; and two in Tasmania.

Category

Amount

State

Organisation

Project details

Housing

$17,500

VIC

Cocoon Education

Establishment of education and employment pathways program to support people at risk of homelessness.

Housing

$15,000

SA

Anglicare SA

Program to address the needs of vulnerable young people moving out of state foster care.

Housing

$16,000

WA

Stepping Forward

Anglicare WA offer services supporting children, young people, individuals, families and communities.

Housing

$30,000

QLD

Butterfly Lodge Homeless Shelter

Initiative to upgrade and install 15 modern, energy efficient air conditioners to make the accommodation operational year-round.

Financial wellbeing

$22,000

VIC

Staying on Track

Delivery of programs incorporating a range of services aimed at people experiencing disadvantage and financial hardship.

Financial wellbeing

$30,000

SA

Next Step Program

Delivery of an outdoor education program for young people aged 13-18 to build self-confidence and resilience.

Financial wellbeing

$15,000

NSW

Cancer Council

Creation of financial literacy resources to specifically support people impacted by cancer.

Financial wellbeing

$16,000

NSW

WindGap Foundation

Funding to expand access to online financial literacy services for participants with intellectual disabilities.

Financial wellbeing

$22,500

QLD

Community Spirit Foundation (NT)

Delivery of a range of education programs to support Indigenous children and families.

Environmental sustainability

$25,000

VIC

Cerberus to Red Hill South Biolink Project

Restoration of vital koala habitat through the revegetation of private land on the Mornington Peninsula.

Environmental sustainability

$30,000

TAS

Saving the Red Fish from Extinction

Support for a program aimed at helping species most at risk from extinction.

Environmental sustainability

$30,000

NSW

Rescue Aust - Emergency Response

Providing recovery support for wildlife and domestic animals impacted by bushfires and other emergencies.

Environmental sustainability

$30,000

QLD

Protecting a wetland eco-system on Yourka Reserve

Project to protect ecosystems and wildlife in an important conservation area in Far North Queensland.

Other

$26,250

VIC

Sustainable Healthy Integrated Food towns

A local social enterprise to help create jobs, support local farmers and producers, reduce waste and improve community wellbeing.

Other

$30,000

SA

Documentary Australia

Funding projects that harness the power of documentaries as a tool for positive outcomes in social change.

Other

$20,000

TAS

Safe Sleeping

Ensuring disadvantaged families have access to essential items for babies and children.

Other

$20,000

WA

Leading Youth Forward

Improving the livelihood of at-risk young people through pairing mentorships and positive life experiences.

Other

$15,000

WA

Final Wish Program

A volunteer run program to enable people who are terminally ill to visit a place of personal significance as a final wish.

Other

$15,000

NSW

Creative writing program

A literacy program to improve the future educational and employment prospects of participants.

Other

$14,750

QLD

DV Safe Phone

A program that collects, repurposes and gifts mobiles phones to people impacted by domestic violence to help when it's needed most.

About ANZ Community Foundation: ANZ Community Foundation uses regular donations of ANZ Staff to provide grants to small yet impactful charities and organisations in local communities. The Foundation is a charitable trust funded by staff payroll donations and managed by ANZ staff - a National Advisory Board and State Committees. ANZ staff can join the Foundation and make regular donations from their pay which is matched by the bank at the rate of $2 for every dollar donated. ANZ covers all administration costs, so donations are tripled and go straight to charities across Australia.

About ANZ Workplace Giving: Since inception, ANZ's Workplace Giving program has distributed more than $23 million to our community partners. ANZ won the 'Best Employer Grants Program' category at the 2022 Australian Workplace Giving Awards. At the 2020 Workplace Giving Excellence Awards, ANZ won the 'Best Employer Response to a Crisis' category, and was recognised with Silver in the Most Innovative Charity & Employer Partnership together with The Smith Family.

/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.